Sciarra out as Warwick football coach

After seven mostly successful seasons, Warwick football coach James Sciarra will not be back for the 2013 season.

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By JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ

recordonline.com

By JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ

Posted Jan. 29, 2013 at 2:00 AM

By JUSTIN RODRIGUEZ

Posted Jan. 29, 2013 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

After seven mostly successful seasons, Warwick football coach James Sciarra will not be back for the 2013 season.

According to team sources, Warwick schools Superintendent Ray Bryant informed Sciarra last Friday that he wouldn't be recommended by the school board to return this fall. Varsity coaching appointments are made on a year-to-year basis.

"I'm not the head football coach any longer," Sciarra said on Monday. He declined further comment.

Asked about Sciarra not returning as coach, Bryant said: "He's made a decision not to coach anymore."

Sciarra was an offensive lineman and linebacker at Warwick, graduating in 1997. As a coach, he went 40-25, helping the Wildcats to the Section 9 Class AA championship game in 2009 and 2011. Warwick finished 6-3 this past season, losing to Monroe-Woodbury 14-13 in the Section 9 Class AA semifinals.

Sciarra had only one losing season — 2008 — but according to team sources the coach was "disconnected" from several of his players.

"This is obviously the administration's choice and they are going to do what's best for the players," said junior linebacker A.J. Sakac. "Coach Sciarra was a hell of a coach, he was smart, but he was missing one part. He was nothing more than a coach. There was no relationship out of football. He didn't really talk to his players on a daily basis. I respect him for being the coach and wish him luck with his future in coaching."

Sciarra, a math teacher at Warwick High, informed the team of his departure at a short meeting on Monday morning at the school. He referred any questions his players had about the coaching change to athletic director Greg Sirico. Sirico, who coached the football team from 1996-05, couldn't be reached for comment on Monday.

"It's pretty sad to see coach Sciarra leave, but the administration knows what's best for the team," said junior defensive back Matt Cattani. "I'm not going to try to start anything. There is nothing we can say to argue. Some players were upset with coach Sciarra, but I personally didn't feel that way. Right now, I just want to see where the team goes from here."